Adapting the British Light Infantry Section and Platoon Structure for the Contemporary and Future Operating Environment
by Lieutenant Chris Shaw, Small Wars Journal

Adapting the British Light Infantry Section and Platoon Structure (Full PDF Article)

Regardless of what form or resultant outcome the debate of strategic force structures takes both within the United States and subsequently within the NATO and ABCA nations, there will always be a role on the battlefield for the infantry forces of the developed world. The Contemporary Operating Environment (COE) has seen demand for the west’s infantry formations rise dramatically. ‘COIN operations place a premium’, notes the recently released US doctrinal publication Tactics in Counterinsurgency FM3-24.2, ‘on boots on the ground.’ The necessity to secure and engage a population through sustained and persistent patrolling is most easily fulfilled by a dedicated infantry force. While there no doubt remains a place for supporting arms in the counterinsurgency fight the ease through which an infantry formation can navigate, sustain itself within and persecute offensive, defensive and support operations within the human geography of a foreign culture has made the infantry synonymous with COIN campaigning.

Even if one views future conflict as being characterised by high-intensity, conventional conflict the existence of an infantry arm remains entirely necessary for the conduct of operations across differing types of terrain. The ability of the developed world’s infantry to adapt to and assimilate technological and doctrinal innovation in military campaigning will be important to future battlefield success and minimisation of casualties and tactical failure.

Has the infantry adjusted or adapted to the Contemporary Operating Environment? It is easy to argue ‘yes’. At the tactical level, the majority of the infantry Battalion’s within the developed world are now far better prepared and postured to participate in the ‘3 Block War’ where violence is administered surgically and sparingly. Doctrinally COIN philosophy has taken hold through the vast majority of armies, with ‘non-kinetic’ effects and lines of operation having gained currency in the military’s professional vocabulary. Multi-national exercises such as ‘Co-Operative Spirit’ held between ABCA nations in Germany last year are now based upon the full-spectrum environment necessitated in the fight against an insurgency, whereas a similar exercise a decade ago would have seen the forces facing a conventional, Soviet-influenced foe.

Adapting the British Light Infantry Section and Platoon Structure (Full PDF Article)